CHAPTER 8

Madame Giry shuffled her feet across the foyer of the ruined Opera Populaire. She had renewed rehearsals in a smaller building, not too far away from her flat, but there were no scheduled teachings for today. She simply had to go down to his lair to find them, hopefully safe. Hours had passed and all she had to go on were her daughter's words. She made her way to her old room. "Thank God the fire did not reach here," she thought to herself. She crossed the room to her small closet in the corner. Pushing her dresses aside, she felt along the back panel and clicked a small depression at the top corner. Thanking God a second time that Erik had not barred this passage, she slipped carefully inside and made her descent down to his home.

Inspecting the few burned items the mob had claimed with their torches, something had caught his foreign eye upon the floor. He made his way towards it, knowing full well what it was as he drew near. He bent down to pick up the neglected object. "It's not like you to leave without your treasured mask, Erik." Nadir half grinned at the sight as he spoke to himself aloud. The next thing he heard didn't surprise him too much, as he sensed he was near.

"And it's not like you to be rummaging around my things, Daroga!" Erik sneered.

Nadir turned around and took a good look at his old dear friend. "I see you've found a replacement for this." Nadir held up the bloodied white mask. "And dare I say it Erik? You, my dear boy, look like…" he was abruptly interrupted.

"Merde! I know. You need not remind me, Daroga. It's because of this," he flashed his hands before him, displaying his tattered clothes, "that I am here. I must clean myself up!"

Erik strode about his abode, taking in the sight, and calculating his steps. He shook his head in frustration. His disheveled hair hung loosely into his face. "Those inconceivable brutes! How could they do this to my home?"

Nadir looked upon him in amusement, "Well, did you not give them reason to exact their vengeance? Luckily not upon you, my friend, but upon your things..." Nadir's arms moved about in a grand showing.

"Shut up, Daroga! You need not mock me!" Erik glared icily.

His next words did not hinder the Persian in the slightest.

"Why are you here, Daroga? Have you come to keep an eye on me?" He said with annoyance.

"Now, Erik, you know exactly why I've come," Nadir stated clearly. "I've come to see that no harm has been made towards that lovely Prima Donna of yours… Mademoiselle Christine Daae."

Erik flinched at Nadir's insinuation. He made his way towards him, mere inches from the Persian's face. "You know very well that I would never harm her. You try my patience, Daroga!" Erik hissed.

"Perhaps, but you never cease to amaze me. What is it they call you around here? Ah, yes, Opera Ghost!" Nadir knew he was pushing his luck, but he also knew that after all his times in Persia with Erik, he'd never do anything to harm him. He relished in this fact.

Erik gripped high onto Nadir's tunic, "I could snap your neck for being so insolent!"

Both men turned their focus to the other end of the lair at the sound of a gasp and an astonished Madame Giry covering her gaping mouth.

"Ah, Madame Giry! It's an honor to finally meet the woman that has held this beast at bay for so many years!" Nadir smiled and strode over to Madame Giry and offered his hand to her.

Erik scowled inwardly as he bowed slightly to Madame Giry, "Annette."

"Where is Christine and why did it seem as if you two were about to kill each other?" Annette demanded.

"That foreign fellow is an old friend, Annette. He was the Daroga of Persia. As much as I would love to kill that man," he pointed at Nadir, "I owe him my life for saving me those many years ago." Erik stated flatly.

"I shall be dead one day, my friend, but not at your hands, so fear not." Nadir mocked.

"Daroga! Don't you…" Erik did not get to finish his threat.

"Quiet the both of you! Where is Christine?" Madame Giry was on the verge of lashing them both.

"I assure you, good Madame, that she is well. She still sleeps." Erik paused to think, "But I fear not for long with how we are all carrying on." He cursed himself.

Madame Giry took in the sight around her and shook her head. "I'll prepare some tea; the two of you clean up this mess!" At the tap of her cane, they both flinched and busied themselves to the task at hand.

Author's Note
To all my faithful readers, and PrinceDiamondLuver for reviewing so quickly, big hugs to you all! -HUG-